TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – De Beers Canada held talks on Monday with the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation on possible future exploration on the community's traditional lands in northern Ontario, the diamond-miner revealed in a brief statement.

“Both parties agreed that the discussion was useful and constructive, and agreed that the dialogue should continue,” the firm said.

De Beers Canada president Jim Gowans said his conversation with chief Donnie Morris indicated that the community was “receptive to exploration and development that is undertaken responsibly, and follows meaningful dialogue with the community”.

KI and De Beers Canada have agreed to further discussions to consider “mutually-beneficial opportunities”.

The KI made headlines last year, after six members received six-month sentences for failing to obey a court order to stay away from land where explorer Platinex had been granted rights, but which the community claimed.

The case fuelled calls for the provincial government of Ontario to review its century-old mining law.

The province has since drafted new legislation that includes strict requirements for exploration companies to consult with first nation communities.

De Beers Canada owns the Victor mine, in Ontario, and the Snap Lake mine, in the Northwest Territories.

The company said last year it had signed four impact benefit agreements (IBAs) for the Snap Lake mine, including with the Yellowknife Dene First Nation, the Tlicho government, the North Slave Metis Alliance and the Lutsel K'e and Kache Dene First Nation.

There are also three community agreements in place for the Victor mine, including an IBA with the Attawapiskat First Nation, a working relationship agreement with the Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and an IBA with the Moose Cree First Nation.

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